gpx temperature

[Pilgrim]

Hi all,

Just noticed in the last few weeks that my gpx's running very hot during the day, especially during evening peak hour (lots of stops, waiting at traffic light, avg. 60kph).

At its hottest, the temp needle is at the 75-80% mark of the gauge (incl. the redline). I can literally feel the heat seeping through my pants from the engine block.

I topped up the coolant in the early summer (late winter), and being mechanically ignorant, I just used some leftover coolant from my car (doh…). The manual didn’t explicitly say what coolant to use tho.

At least there’s no smoke or weird smells from the bike when it’s hot, but I’m just worried if the engine gets degraded cos of the heat.

Does anyone has the same problem?

Cheers

[TRX]

It (should be) ok. I remember the first few paranoid summer rides on my GPX watching the temp gauge

The fan wont kick in till its right up the end near redline.

Just when you think you have meltdown, *click* on comes the fan.

[Scorpion82]

Yeh been getting pretty warm out there, mine gets to half way and than the fan kicks in. But i get the huge amount of heat pass through my crutch too so must be standard

[thro]

Yeah, my ZZR (same motor) gets a bit high on the temp guage if i'm sitting in traffic or crawling along in hot weather. Have only seen it get to just under 3/4 tho so far...

[Pilgrim]

Thanks for the input guys.

If I turn the motor off when it's hot, I can hear the fan buzzing really loud (well, hopefully it's the fan).

I’m just worried that the engine would blow up & send hot shrapnel up my a$$.

[Mattis]

Yep, just make sure the fan is coming on. You can usually hear it kick in with a bit of a click and a whirring (as TRX mentioned), but perhaps make a visual inspection as well (or just put your hand near the side of the radiator and feel for air flow.

If you are really worried about it you could wire a manual switch into the fan (instead of relying on the thermo-switch) and just flick it on when you think she is getting a little toasty.

[MuNch]

Yeah Pilgrim - GPX's seem to get hot quick but yours has the thermo fan that kicks in.
I also found they heat up really quick when stuck in traffic , but they do have the fan and so far so good. I'd say you are alright

[likefry]

If you are really worried about it you could wire a manual switch into the fan (instead of relying on the thermo-switch) and just flick it on when you think she is getting a little toasty.
[/b]

Yep i've done this with my spada and its pretty easy. just find the 2 wires going into the thermo-switch on the side of your radiator and paralell 2 wires up to a little switch next to your thumb. i bought a switch from tandy for about $2 and used some old speaker cable.

She works a treat especially in hot weather mainly coz i think my thermoswitch is stuffed.

[Sphinx_20]

Yup I find my GPX gets red hot on the ride to uni everyday (45km ride with lotsa lanesplitting and traffic lights - especially the long sequence by the Como). Can't say I've ever noticed the fan kicking in *mental note - must go check* but I find that when I'm 3/4 of the temp guage a short run about 50-60kmph in 6th gear brings it right down to the point where I can stop worrying about my bike cooking itself. If ur ever in doubt I recommend u pull over for 10 mins and let everything cool down. Otherwise yeah, check ur oil and coolant and what everyone else said about the fan

[kellz]

reset the fan thermastat kick in level.

mine now comes on at about half way, the sensor may be worn or the wire may be faulty so just check if it really worries you that much otherwise it seems like the gpx is being a good ol gpx reliable and trusty..

also the lack of air running over the engine during peak hour standstill traffic will help it run hotter it should cool down slightly once u start moving..

[Pilgrim]

Oil & coolant are ok (checked at least once a week). Hopefully it's just the damned hot weather.

I'll play around with the fan wiring & sensor. See how it goes.

[Scorpion82]

Yeh i haven't changed mine and it kicks in if it goes above halfway, so it hardly gets hotter than that.

[Mattis]

reset the fan thermastat kick in level.
[/b]

Aren't they a bimetallic switch? Meaning you would need to buy another replacement switch with a lower heat threshold? Or is there actually a procedure for adjusting the switch?

[Mr M]

Mate it does sound like it is your thermastat. Get the service on you cooling system done, i.e. flush the system, replace coolant and get the thermastat switch checked. Mixing different coolants can cause problems as I found out on my last car. You are better off getting it serviced it does not sound right half way on the gauges ususaly indicates normal operating temperature.

You want to keep you beast healthy man!!!

[SlapBass]

Mate it does sound like it is your thermastat. Get the service on you cooling system done, i.e. flush the system, replace coolant and get the thermastat switch checked. Mixing different coolants can cause problems as I found out on my last car. You are better off getting it serviced it does not sound right half way on the gauges ususaly indicates normal operating temperature.

You want to keep you beast healthy man!!!
[/b]

Agreed.
Mixing coolants is a bad idea as they have different chemicals/inhibitors in them and no 2 coolants will work together it will increase the rate of corrosion and have been know to make your headgasket blow.
Any major concerns i work for Natrad (radiator specialists) just pm me to sort something out.